Wait Times for Knee Replacement (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (182 days).
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
The percentage within benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within the benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimate was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100
Number of adults who received a planned knee replacement
Number of adults who received a planned knee replacement within 182 days (26 weeks) from the date they were ready to be treated
Methodology
Name
Wait Times for Knee Replacement (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)
Short/Other Names
Not applicable
Description
Percentage of patients within a province who received planned total knee replacements within 26 weeks (182 days) from the date they were ready to be treated
Rationale
In 2004, Canada's first ministers agreed to work toward reducing wait times for five priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨was mandated to collect wait time information and monitor provincial progress in meeting benchmarks.
Many factors affect wait times, for example, availability of resources, efficiency of a particular facility, seasonal effects, volumes, patient choice, patient condition, follow-up care and/or treatment complexity.
This indicator can be used to help understand access to care and to know how provinces are performing in providing access to services.
Interpretation
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (182 days).
HSP Framework Dimension
ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ system outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services
Areas of Need
Getting Better
Targets/Benchmarks
Within 26 weeks (182 days)
Available Data Years
to (fiscal years)
Geographic Coverage
- All provinces
Reporting Level/Disaggregation
- National
- Province/Territory
- Region
Indicator Results
Update Frequency
Every year
Latest Results Update Date
Updates
There may be some provincial exceptions to the standard methodology each year. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
Description
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
The percentage within benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within the benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimate was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100
Type of Measurement
Percentage or proportion
Denominator
Description:
Number of adults who received a planned knee replacement
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.VG.53.^^ Implantation of internal device, knee joint (except 1.VG.53.LA-SL-N — cement spacer)
- 1.VP.53.^^ Implantation of internal device, patella
- All knee replacements (primary and revision); bilateral joint replacements count as a single wait
- Unicondylar procedures
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Abandoned procedures
- Days when patient was unavailable
Numerator
Description:
Number of adults who received a planned knee replacement within 182 days (26 weeks) from the date they were ready to be treated
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.VG.53.^^ Implantation of internal device, knee joint (except 1.VG.53.LA-SL-N — cement spacer)
- 1.VP.53.^^ Implantation of internal device, patella
- All knee replacements (primary and revision); bilateral joint replacements count as a single wait
- Unicondylar procedures
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Abandoned procedures
- Days when patient was unavailable
Method of Adjustment
Not applicable
Adjustment Applied
None
Geographic Assignment
Place of service
Data Sources
- Provincial Wait Times Registry
Data may come from various sources, depending on the province.
Caveats and Limitations
Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
Trending Issues
Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology in order to increase the comparability of results. When comparing data for a particular province over time, attention should be given to the exceptions. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
References
ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Canada. A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Care. ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Canada. Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Information. Wait Times for Knee Replacement (Percentage Meeting Benchmark). Accessed April 15, 2025.
If you would like ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨information in a different format, visit our Accessibility page.
Comments
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